The past follows, stalks, hunts
relentless, endless, exhausting pursuit.
Like a suffocating fog,
overwhelming, overpowering 
thick with despair and blackened with memories
it leaves its prey 
cornered, heaving, and gasping for peace
in the labyrinth of the present.
Fear, dread, panic, a pleading struggle
until finally, a submergence, a drowning in the depths of melancholy.
Relentless, endless, exhausting the pursued 
the past follows, the past stalks,
            the past Hunts.

Rights & Access

This poem was submitted for the "Poetry for the Mind's Joy" project and is reproduced here with permission from the author. All rights reserved. Poetry for the Mind's Joy is Poet Laureate Kay Ryan's project that includes a community college poetry contest administered by the Community College Humanities Association and a lively videoconference.
  • Jena Bender

    Glen Oaks Community College, Centreville, MI

    Faculty Advisor: Lucy Zimmerman